LONGMEADOW – This year’s town election will see three candidates for the Longmeadow School Committee. Current committee member Bronwyn Monahan, and Mary Keane and Zach Verriden will face off against one another for two seats on the committee. Reminder Publishing reached out to all of the candidates and asked them to introduce or reintroduce themselves to residents. The following are their introductions in their own words.

Bronwyn Monahan

“Our students.” When asked why I ran for School Committee, my response is always the same, “our students.” As a School Committee (SC) member, I represent the voters of Longmeadow and support the needs of our Longmeadow Public School (LPS) students. My decisions on policy, budget, and the evaluation of the superintendent are made with all LPS students and stakeholders at the forefront.

As a Longmeadow resident for over 45 years, I am very passionate about the community. In particular, Longmeadow is known for our highly ranked schools. I am very committed to making our schools be the best they can be, always, and in all ways. I will use my experience as a School Committee member, resident, former educator, currently employed as a director of operations in the business sector, and parent, to further develop the Longmeadow Public School District. As author Christine Gregoire stated, “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.”

In 2018, I was elected based on these primary goals:

• Ensure each student is well-prepared for opportunities beyond high school.

• Focus on personalized learning so that every student is challenged and supported.

• Assist in fostering a safe learning environment for all students and educators.

• Support educators by providing resources necessary to deliver [the] best possible instruction.

• Work collaboratively with administrators to set and achieve district goals.

In the last few years, progress has been made toward these goals through my work on the Finance Sub-Committee, Policy Sub-Committee and as vice-chair. During an additional three-year term, my SC colleagues and I can revisit the initiatives placed on hold during the Covid-19 Pandemic, as well as pursue future district goals.

For the past year, our teachers, staff and administrators have been working diligently with students, parents and caregivers to provide the best possible educational opportunities for all students – while prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff. Our present School Committee has supported these efforts with a balanced, informed and thoughtful approach. Now more than ever, it is important to have experienced and knowledgeable members on the School Committee. My ability to lead and collaborate with returning and new School Committee members is critical, for a consistent, successful School Committee.

Many of the goals the SC created this year will be ongoing, such as, “continued implementation of the Vision of the Graduate, and a broader vision/definition of student learning and student success.” Another example of a School Committee goal that has progressed but is still ongoing is “School Committee will advocate and support the district’s commitment to inclusive, anti-racist educational practice, culture, and climate.” All students have the right to feel comfortable and safe at school, which means as a community, we need to focus on continuing to implement anti-bias strategies.

It has been a privilege to serve on the Longmeadow School Committee. I look forward to the opportunity for another term. My strong commitment to innovative and inclusive education makes me a strong candidate for re-election. Thank you.

Mary Keane

My name is Mary Keane, and I hope you will support me for Longmeadow School Committee. My personal and professional experiences make me uniquely qualified for this role. I am mom to Hazel (8), Nora (11), and Gregory (14). Next year, they will span all school levels: elementary, middle, and high school. As a School Committee member, I will benefit from insight into their experiences and perspectives. I also relate to the concerns of parents who have witnessed the most tumultuous educational year in history.

I am a life-long learner and educator. My career spans more than 20 years during which I have served in a variety of roles: teacher, Literacy Coach, and district administrator. I am currently the supervisor of English for Westfield Public Schools. In my role, I am responsible for teacher support, curriculum design and instruction, research, and the delivery of high-quality professional development.

My extensive and varied experiences in education will help me to make informed, student-centered decisions about the important issues facing schools today. As a School Committee member, I will be committed to cultivating partnerships with families; promoting equitable, anti-racist practices; and supporting our educators so they can continue to deliver high-quality instruction.

Family engagement is vital to the success of a school district. When it comes to decisions about education, families rightly have strong feelings and opinions. I will welcome feedback in order to best represent our collective vision for Longmeadow Public Schools.

Students have had varying experiences with remote and hybrid instruction. As we transition to more normal school routines, we will need to ensure that students have equitable opportunities to meet grade-level standards. I fully support the equity and anti-racism work with which Longmeadow Public Schools is currently engaged. We must provide the resources and training necessary for our educators to differentiate instruction and to view instructional decisions through the lens of equity and anti-racism. It is also important to capitalize upon the resiliency and creativity that children are developing while surviving a global pandemic.

We must consider how to best support our teachers who reinvented schools last March. The continual evolution of teacher pedagogy in the past year has been jaw-dropping. I commend our school counselors who play a vital role in supporting the social-emotional well-being of our students. Mental health support and opportunities for meaningful peer connections will be vital to resuming normalcy. Our leadership teams also need support so they can continue to be inspiring educational leaders; effective and transparent communicators; and strong advocates for students. We must also promote self-care and wellness among all educators so they can continue to overcome the challenges ahead.

Both personally and professionally, I strive to let kindness and empathy lead the way. I want your kids and mine to have the very best educational experience possible. With your support, I look forward to taking an active part in shaping the future of Longmeadow Public Schools.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/MaryKeaneSchoolCommittee to learn more.
        
Zach Verriden

Zach Verriden has unparalleled experience to serve on the Longmeadow School Committee and he needs your support. He has been a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, a coach, a professor and currently, he owns an educational consulting practice sought after by organizations all over Massachusetts.

As well-rounded as that professional experience is, Zach is most importantly a proud parent along with his wife, Anya, of four children in Longmeadow and his oldest son Henry requires a complex Individualized Education Program (IEP). As a parent and an educator, Zach holds the unique perspective of being on both sides of the table for all learners. Henry’s younger siblings are Thomas (6), Katherine (5) and Samuel (2).

Zach is currently the chair of the Longmeadow Select Board’s Coalition for Racial Justice Task Force, a member of the Blueberry Hill Elementary School Council and a leader with the Longmeadow Anti-Racism Coalition. Zach hopes to bring these experiences and insights to the Longmeadow School Committee in order to build on excellence with an eye toward equity and inclusion.

Zach began his career as a full-time certified teacher in Camden, NJ teaching high school history. He then continued his career in Houston, TX where he began taking on leadership positions in schools that included grade-level chair and track coach. In 2011, he was recruited to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was charged as principal with improving a local high school that was on the verge of closing. While in Milwaukee, Zach not only led the high school to success but also continued to grow in leadership positions as the managing director of People Development, and eventually executive director serving as superintendent of the same district.

Zach also held numerous adjunct faculty positions in graduate Schools of Education around the greater Milwaukee area. Zach has years of working with parents, teachers, principals, and district staff in curriculum development, communications, and project management across K-12 schools. Zach is a career educator who received his master’s degree in Education Policy and Management in 2008 from Harvard University and is currently completing his Ph.D. in K-12 Education and Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His dissertation focuses on equity and identity. He also holds a business certificate in Educational Entrepreneurship from Rice University.

Zach hopes to bring his unparalleled experience as an educator, coach, learner, business owner and parent to work in partnership with a wide range of community members and colleagues on the Longmeadow School Committee and throughout the school community to realize the district’s vision of seeing all students engaged in rigorous, introspective, and culturally responsive learning with a commitment to anti-racism, equity and social justice.

You can reach out to Zach at zachforschoolcommittee@gmail.com to learn more and get involved.